International

President Robert Mugabe's foray into Japan earlier in March to beg for alms has paid dividends following the donation of bituminous products by the Japenese government that would help rehabilitate the country's dilapidated roads, particularly in Mashonaland West province.

The cordial relations between the two countries has seen Zimbabwe benefitting in various sectors from financial and technical assistance from the Japan government.

Ambassador of Japan to Zimbabwe, Toshiyuku Iwado said his government was committed to strengthening the long-standing bilateral relations by availing various forms of assistance through infrastructure development support.

Iwado told NewsAnchor on the sidelines of a handover ceremony of bituminous products to government, through the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry in Chinhoyi recently, his administration would continue supporting the Zanu PF regime.

Iwado said over the years Japan has offered grants and technical assistance in the development of the country's infrastructure such as schools, boreholes and roads.

Iwado reiterated his country is offering technical training for local technicians who are currently in his country which will enable Zimbabwe to improve its construction and maintenance capacity.

"My country has cordial relationship with your country and the people of Japan are eager to support this country through various programmes for development. This is evidenced by the fruitful relationship of your President's visit to the Japanese government in March where various agreements were made between the two presidents, and today we have just witnessed some of the results of that visit," he said.

Some of the Zimbabwean technicians are currently in Japan where they are receiving training towards the construction of 12, 5km climbing lanes and widening on the Makuti-Hellsgate section along the Harare-Chirundu highway, which has gained notoriety for being one of the most dangerous routes to drive in the country.

Ministry of Finance permanent secretary, Willard Manungo said the support from Japan is making a huge impact on the successful implementation of the country's ZIMASSET economic blueprint as their support for infrastructural development is cross-cutting various sectors.

"Under the country assistance program the country's ZIMASSET programme is being helped to succeed in various sectors such as mining and farming," said Manungo. LOCAL